Colorectal Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: The emotion of disgust appears to promote psychological and behavioral avoidance, a dynamic that has significant implications in physical and psychological outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC). Patients, caregivers, and health professionals alike are all potentially susceptible to responding with disgust and the associated avoidance. OBJECTIVE: This article aimed to review the early-stage literature related to disgust and CRC, consider the clinical implications, and suggest an appropriate research agenda.

Colorectal cancer is more common in the Western world than in underdeveloped countries. Diet, longevity, heredity, and presence of other bowel diseases may affect the incidence. Diagnosis is based on results of routine laboratory studies and evaluation of the entire large bowel with air-contrast barium enema and colonoscopy. Surgical resection is the primary therapy for colorectal cancer. Postoperative systemic chemotherapy yields poor results, but hepatic artery infusional chemotherapy offers some benefit to patients who have only hepatic metastases.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death. Screening for colorectal cancer is a rational and cost-effective strategy for reducing the incidence of colorectal cancer and related mortality. Despite endorsement by academic and health care organizations, patient awareness and compliance with screening is low, partly because of patient-related barriers to screening. METHODS: A convenience sample of adults attending the internal medicine and family practice clinics of a community teaching hospital was studied.

European Journal of Oncology Nursing: The Official Journal of European Oncology Nursing Society

PURPOSE: Chemotherapy can result in many unpredictable and often debilitating side-effects hence patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment may have to rely on their loved ones to support them through this most challenging period. In view of this possibility then good communication skills between patients, healthcare providers and family members is of paramount importance for effective patient outcomes.

The experience of receiving a screen-detected diagnosis of colorectal cancer was explored using open-ended interviews. Twenty four people who had been diagnosed with cancer at flexible sigmoidoscopy screening were interviewed at their homes over the telephone. Thematic analysis of the transcripts showed that the experience of gaining a diagnosis of cancer through screening was characterised by a lack of prior expectation that cancer would be detected and feelings of shock. This was largely because of the absence of symptoms and current feelings of well-being.

Recruitment of patients into drug trials is essential in order to evaluate new treatments. Knowing why patients enter drug trials and their fears regarding them can be used in future research to ensure good recruitment and provide a supportive atmosphere for patients. Forty patients with colorectal cancer and 30 patients with colorectal liver metastases were asked to participate in a drug trial involving the oral consumption of a diet-derived agent of unknown therapeutic action.

OBJECTIVE: Although personality factors, especially emotional suppression and loss-hopelessness, have been linked to the occurrence and progression of cancer, little is reported specifically on colorectal cancer. It has also been claimed that a 'hysterical' personality characterized by exaggerated emotional expressions, egocentricity and ambivalent connection may be protective from cancer.

European Journal of Oncology Nursing: The Official Journal of European Oncology Nursing Society

PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH: This paper is a report of a study of the experiences of individuals with colorectal cancer in the period following their cancer treatment and the physical, psychological and social aspects associated with adjusting to everyday life. METHODS AND SAMPLE: Qualitative interviews using a phenomenological approach were conducted with a purposive sample of 13 individuals who had completed active curative treatment for colorectal cancer.